gruesome experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gruesome experience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is shockingly unpleasant or horrifying, often involving violence or suffering. Example: "The documentary depicted a gruesome experience that left many viewers in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Or, for a more gruesome experience, the offender could be placed in cool liquid and then heated to boiling.

Britannica

By Frances Winwar The New Yorker, March 21 , 1942P. 58 The writer has a gruesome experience after reading Montague Sommers "The Vampire in Europe".

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, March 21 , 1942P. 58 The writer has a gruesome experience after reading Montague Sommers "The Vampire in Europe".

The New Yorker

Instead, he spent 28 months in federal prisons, a gruesome experience -- though even there, unstoppable, he campaigned to end racial segregation in the prison dining hall.

The New York Times - Books

You only have to look at inflight photographs from the 1970s to understand that flying used to be part of the holiday, not a gruesome experience you had to endure.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite what must have been a gruesome experience, from a cold-blooded newspaper point of view, the Guardian had been admirably served by Cooke and other reporters, Hetherington said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'll spare you the details, but it was one of the most gruesome experiences I've had.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The answer seems straightforward: if you can ease the agony that people like Kathleen suffer by dimming the memory of their gruesome experiences, why wouldn't you?

The New York Times - Magazine

When I became a physician, I vowed that I would do everything I could to temper such gruesome experiences for the patient and for the family.

The New Yorker

Mr. MacIvor's play, which is about a teenage girl -- Roberta, hence Bob -- hitchhiking to the beach, away from what turn out to be some gruesome experiences at home in Sydney, provides an understated, convincing portrait of ordinary girlhood.

The New York Times

Instead he passes the day negotiating flashbacks to his gruesome war experiences and dodging the minions of the local loan shark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sensitive topics such as historical events or personal trauma, use the phrase "gruesome experience" to convey the severity of the situation while maintaining a respectful tone. This phrase acknowledges the suffering involved without sensationalizing it.

Common error

Avoid using "gruesome experience" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "horrific ordeal" or "shocking incident" to maintain the reader's engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gruesome experience" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gruesome" modifies the noun "experience". It typically serves to characterize a particular event or situation as extremely unpleasant or horrifying. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, stating that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gruesome experience" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe events that are shockingly unpleasant or horrifying. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves to convey the severity and unpleasantness of a particular event, aiming to evoke a sense of horror or disgust. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and audience, and to avoid overuse by varying language with synonyms such as "horrific ordeal" or "shocking incident".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrific ordeal

Focuses on the prolonged and challenging nature of the experience.

shocking incident

Highlights the startling and unexpected nature of the event.

dreadful event

Emphasizes the fear and apprehension associated with the experience.

terrible episode

Underscores the severity and negativity of the occurrence.

appalling situation

Stresses the morally offensive and disturbing aspects of the context.

horrifying encounter

Highlights the element of direct confrontation with something frightening.

distressing circumstance

Focuses on the emotional upset and anxiety caused by the situation.

frightening event

Emphasizes the fear induced by the situation.

nightmarish episode

Implies a surreal and intensely unpleasant quality.

grisly incident

Highlights the horrifying and shocking nature of the event, often involving death or violence.

FAQs

How can I use "gruesome experience" in a sentence?

You can use "gruesome experience" to describe an event or situation that is shockingly unpleasant or horrifying, often involving violence or suffering. For example, "The documentary depicted a "gruesome experience" that left many viewers in shock."

What can I say instead of "gruesome experience"?

You can use alternatives like "horrific ordeal", "shocking incident", or "dreadful event" depending on the context.

Is "gruesome experience" formal or informal?

"Gruesome experience" is generally considered a neutral term. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a horrifying or shockingly unpleasant event.

What makes an experience "gruesome"?

An experience is considered "gruesome" when it involves elements that are shockingly repellent, horrifying, or macabre, often involving death, violence, or severe suffering. It suggests a level of unpleasantness that is deeply disturbing and unsettling.